COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There could be another Boren back in the starting lineup for the Buckeyes in the fall.

"I think I'm really ready," rising Ohio State junior Jacoby Boren said early in spring practice. "I've been preparing, I've been learning under Corey for two years now. I learned a lot from him, I learned a lot from Coach Warinner. I've been waiting on it for two years, and it feels good to be here."

Boren has been seen as the likely heir apparent to graduated center Corey Linsley. When Linsley was coming back from a foot injury early last season and saw his snaps limited in early games, it was Boren who slid in with the starters.

If he takes that job in the fall, he'll be the third Boren to start for the Buckeyes. Oldest brother Justin started on the offensive line as a junior and senior in 2009 and 2010 after transferring from Michigan. Middle brother Zach was a four-year starter at fullback beginning in 2009, then switched to linebacker and started there in the back half of his senior season in 2012.

Jacoby was a freshman backup that season, then continued on as the lone Boren on the roster a year ago. And now a Boren should return to the starting lineup. But it will be a battle.

Boren has been the lead guy at center on the reshaped offensive line, but redshirt freshman Billy Price, who was moved over from the defensive line last season, saw some reps with the first team in Saturday's scrimmage as well. Boren and Price should be on opposite teams in Saturday's spring game and getting plenty of action. So far on the line, the only players the coaches have said are sure starters for the fall are left tackle Taylor Decker and right guard Pat Elflein.

Center is one of the three spots still to be determined. Boren is determined to win it. He's ready for the responsibility that would come with starting at center and making the line calls for the offense.

"I like it," Boren said. "I feel like a natural leader, and I take it and I run with it, and it feels good."

Boren said he worked on his shotgun snaps all offseason, aware of how a little slip in the muscle memory can lead to mistakes. He'll listen to offensive line coach Ed Warinner if he has questions there. If he has any questions about earning a starting job at Ohio State, he has a few other outlets. He said Zach is still around the facility working out at times.

But the younger Boren has been around long enough, waiting his turn, to know what's at stake.

“We're all hungry. We've been there for two years. You understand your place, but it does get rough at times. But we learned a lot, and we're ready," Boren said.

“When I come out here, we always say, at least me personally, I play for the name on my back, I play for the guy next to me, I play for my teammates, and I play for the coaches and the university. So it definitely means a lot. I take pride in playing for my last name and what it represents.”

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